Kells Shephards Pie Food

TRADITIONAL IRISH SHEPHERD'S PIE

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 200C/400°F.
• Saute carrots in the olive oil until starting to get tender.
• Add in the onions and saute for a minute or two then add the meat.
• Season with black pepper and thyme.
• Cook until browned then drain fat.
• Add the butter and peas.
• Sprinkle with flour and stir through.
• Add tomato paste, wine and Worcestershire sauce.
• Let this reduce slightly then add the chicken stock. Allow to reduce down until you have a thick meaty gravy. Season to your taste.
• Remove from heat. Grease an oven proof dish** (9x13 works for me, as does an oval baker) with butter and add the sauce.
• Spoon or pipe the mashed potatoes over top. Brush with egg and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese if using.
• Bake for about 20 minutes or until the potato is nice and browned on top.
• Serve as is or with some crusty bread to mop up that yummy sauce!

CHICKEN SHEPHERD'S PIE

Steps:

• 1. For the topping: Put the potatoes in a large pot with enough cold water to cover by about 1 inch, add 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-high and cook until the potatoes are very tender, about 15 minutes
• 2. For the filling: Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Heat 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring often ,until soft, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the flour and cook 1 minute longer. Add the tomatoes and broth. Cook, stirring often, until reduced and thickened, 7 to 10 minutes.
• 3. Remove the meat from the chicken, discarding all skin and bones. Cut or shred the meat into small pieces. (You should have about 2 cups.)
• 4. Stir the chicken and spinach into the sauce and season with salt and pepper. Transfer the filling to a 2-quart casserole dish or 4 to 6 individual oven safe ramekins.
• 5. Drain the potatoes well and force through a ricer or food mill. (You should have about 2 cups). Add the remaining 4 tablespoon butter, the cheese, and season with salt and pepper. Stir in the egg yolk. Spread the potatoes over the chicken or transfer to a large pastry bag fitted with a wide tip and pipe evenly over the chicken. Bake until the topping is lightly browned, and the chicken is heated through, about 20 to 30 minutes.

KELLS SHEPHARDS PIE

Steps:

• 1 Brown beef in a Dutch oven or other large heavy saucepot over low to moderate heat. Allow to simmer until cooked throughout, about 5 to 10 minutes. Drain excess fat when cooked and add onion, carrots, garlic, stout, wine, broth, Worcestershire sauce, basil, oregano, sage and marjoram. Stir and bring to a simmer over low heat. Cook 15 minutes or until carrots are fork tender. Add peas. 2 While meat is simmering, bring large pot of water to boil for potatoes. 3 Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, melt butter and stir in flour to make a roux (paste of equal parts butter and flour used to thicken liquids). Slowly incorporate roux into simmering beef mixture until desired thickness is achieved. (If mixture was simmered too long or cooked too high, less roux is needed.) Continue to cook for 5 to 10 minutes to allow roux and flavors to meld. Season with salt and pepper. 4 Remove to a 9 1/2-inch round casserole dish or deep pie dish. 5 While meat is simmering, preheat oven to 350 degrees and prepare Ulster Champ Topping. 1 Scrub and peel potatoes. Cut into large pieces. In a large pot, simmer potatoes in water until fork tender. Drain well and return pot to low heat to remove excess moisture. Stir in butter and cheese a and whip, gradually adding milk, parsley and scallions or chives. Season with salt and pepper. 2 Spoon potato topping evenly over meat mixture, making irregular peaks with the back of a spoon. Alternatively, use a pastry bag and star tip to pipe potatoes over meat mixture. 3 Bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until potatoes are golden brown and crusty on edges and mixture is heated throughout. 4 If desired, place casserole under broiler for 1 to 2 minutes to crisp potato topping. Remove from oven, allow to cool slightly to set, and serve immediately from casserole dish. Serve with HP sauce (Irish-English steak-style sauce), steak sauce or pan gravy, if desired.